What is a Joint Terminal attack controller (JTAC)?
In essence, a JTAC is a qualified terminal attack controller that designates targets for close air support (CAS) aircraft to engage and neutralize.
Definition:
A Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) is a:
• Qualified (certified) service member who passes a Department of Defense-approved school
• From a forward position, directs/assists the action of aircraft
• Authorized to perform terminal attack control
Close Air Support allows:
• Offensive/Defensive use
• The ability to destroy, disrupt, suppress, fix, harass, neutralize, or delay enemy forces
The Formalities of Close Air Support
Close Air Support is:
• Air action by fixed/rotary wing Aircraft against enemy targets
• Combat Aircraft that needs special care/expertise and guidance during each mission to allow ground forces to conduct fire and maneuver while enemy targets are being engaged.
A) Basic Close Air Support
By the book...
Close Air Support (CAS) is the summation of joint fire support capabilities and that:
• Necessitates detailed planning, coordination, and training of ground and supporting air forces for safe and effective execution
Close Air Support application allows fires to affect enemy forces in the area by:
• Destroying them
• Suppress them
• Neutralize them
This also allows for:
• Movement and maneuver to take place on the ground
• Control of territory, population, infrastructure and key terrain (air/water/land)
Close Air Support is executed by:
• Fixed-wing (FW)
• Rotary-wing (RW)
Targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces requires detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those forces. This is the key to being JTAC-qualified...
12 Steps of CAS
1. Routing/Safety of Flight
2. CAS Aircraft Check-In
3. Situation Update
4. Game Plan
5. CAS Brief
6. Remarks/Restrictions
7. Readbacks
8. Correlation
9. Attack
10. Assess Effects
12. Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) 12. Routing/Safety of Flight
Aircraft Requests
Aircraft requests are typically done on overall aviation command nets (e.g. APOLLO on freq 60). This is done by the JTAC that is requesting resources and aircraft as he requires them, specific to the current mission.
The Aircraft Request is as follows:
1. Platform Type
2. Location/altitude to check in 3. Frequency/Controller to check in with
1) Routing/Safety of Flight
Routing and Safety of flight is the very first thing established when the Controller checks in with the aircraft. The aircraft will receive information regarding safe areas or zones. This is important in multiple facets:
1. Aircraft deconfliction 2. Known anti-aircraft threats in the area 3. Stealth
Two methods of Routing are using Initial Points (IPs). IPs are essentially safe holding areas for the A/C to loiter while the JTAC transmits mission data. However, if it is safe to be on the overhead, it is recommended to that method instead as it makes the job of the pilot easier.
The second method of routing is called an Echo Point or Keyhole. An Echo Point is passed as a grid, and is essentially an anchor for the aircraft to operate from. It is possible to have an aircraft offset in a direction or hold in a wheel overtop from an Echo Point.
Close Air Support 9-Line Request Process
Close Air Support requests ARE referenced as "CAS 9-Liner Briefs" but are NOT read or transmitted in fashion to a 'MEDEVAC 9-line Brief' over the communications dialogue.
2) Request JTAC (Planned or On-call)
3) Receive Aircraft 'Check-In Briefing'
The CAS A/C Check-in is the information the aircraft will pass to the ground controller. It will detail the ordnance the aircraft has on board, playtime (time remaining on station) and capabilities.
The CAS Check-in format is as follows:
1. Callsign and Number/Type of A/C - How many and what kind of A/C.
2. Position/Altitude - Where the A/C is when he is checking in, and what altitude he is operating at.
3. Ordnance - What bombs/missiles he has onboard. \ 4. Playtime - Amount of time the A/C has on station in relation to fuel.
5. Capabilities - What equipment he has, like NVGs, laser targeting pod, etc.
6. Abort Code - What code is to be used for aborts, or if it is in the clear.
Example of a Check-In Briefing
3.5) Give Aircraft 'Situation' update
A quick update of the ground situation will be sent from the ground controller to prepare the aircraft for the upcoming engagement. This includes;
1. Threat Activity
2. Target/Enemy Situation
3. Friendly Situation/GCI
4. Clearance Authority
5. Hazards
6. Restrictions / Remarks
Example of a Situation Brief.
4) Game Plan
A Game Plan is the overall plan of how the ground controller wants to strike a target, and with what ordnance. A Game Plan includes:
1. Type of Control
2. Method of attack
3. Ordnance/Effects desired
4. Time interval
At a minimum, game plans must include Type of Control and Method of Attack.
5) Transmit 9-Line or 5-Liner
This is where the ground controller will relay all target specific information for the aircraft to strike. 1. IP - This is the IP or Echo Point location that the strike will start from
2. Direction from IP to Target - A bearing in degrees from the IP to the target.
3. Distance from IP to Target - Distance in km
4. Target Elevation - Give in metres
5. Target Description - Accurate description of target
6. Target Location - Given in 6 figure grid for Bomb On Target (BOT) attacks with the addition of keypad note for Bomb On Coordinate (BOC) GPS guided bomb attacks.
7. Marking Method - Marking equipment information such as laser designator, by IR pointer, by smoke, flare, etc. I.e. “Marked by Purple Smoke”.
8. Friendly position - It is given in a simple direction and distance from target to friendlies e.g, friendlies are North East of the target 700m, line 8 will be “NE 700”.
9. Egress Instructions - Directional guidance after the strike is complete. Aircraft may be instructed to stay at the overhead or move to an IP for safety.
Rotary Wing 5 Liner
The only big difference between RW and FW CAS is the fact that BPs are used instead of IPs. Typically, use RW attack aviation is used more effectively as overwatch and are very friendly centric, meaning as long as they know where friendlies are, they can get strikes off faster, as they fly a lot closer to friendlies and generally have better situational awareness.
The RW CAS 5-Line is used to expedite strikes when RW Pilots have improved situational awareness of the friendly situation on the ground. Note: ALWAYS start with a 9-Line with RW aircraft to bring their situational awareness up to speed, then transition to 5-Lines.
(1) Warning Order. The warning order informs the attacking aircrew they are about to receive an attack brief. For RW CAS 5-lines, this warning order should contain the game plan information found in a standard attack brief, type of control, and method of attack, and may include ordnance requested. Interval will generally not apply to a 5-line. (2) Friendly Location/Position Marking. JTAC should pass the friendly observer location and how it is marked if applicable. JTACs should avoid passing friendly grids here, instead using named locations or GEOREFs.
(3) Target Location. JTAC passes the target location using any or all of the following information: direction and distance from Line 2; a TRP, GEOREF, or GRG location (or an offset from a TRP, GEOREF, or GRG location); or coordinates. Generally, since aircrew executing a 5-line is “heads-out” looking for the target, coordinates are not the ideal method of target location compared to an offset from a known point.
(4) Target Description/Marked By (a) Target description should be specific enough for the aircrew to find and identify the target, yet concise and brief. Further details may be passed as the aircrew is ingressing. Type, number, orientation, and degree of protection is a good format. (b) If the target is marked, how it is marked should also be passed.
(5) Remarks (a) The remarks section should include other information necessary for a safe and effective attack.
(Note: U.S. Army Attack Aviation elements are considered manuever elements instead of close air support elements and in-turn do not require a qualified JTAC to utilize them)
Example of 5-line RW call:
JTAC: “Deuce 31, Broadsword 11, 5-line, Type 2 control, BOT, rockets and guns, my position is checkpoint 295 marked by IR strobe, northwest 200, single technical vehicle marked by IR SPARKLE, make all attacks over my right shoulder, left pull, keep all effects of fires west of MSR Clovis.”
A/C: “Deuce 31 copies over your right shoulder, left pull, keep all effects of fires west of MSR Clovis, pushing.”
JTAC: “Deuce 31, CONTINUE.” A/C: “Deuce 31 and flight, VISUAL, TALLY, IN.” JTAC: “Deuce 31 and flight, CLEARED HOT.”
SOF Gunship CFF
The SOF Gunship Call For Fire is used when using an AC-130 gunship. The format is as follows:
CCA 5-Line
Close Combat Attack (CCA) 5-Lines are used with RW aircraft, more specifically with non-CAS aircraft. These can include RW aircraft with no ordnance other than onboard mounted machine guns. CCA can be used to quickly provide suppression and neutralization for friendlies.
The format is the exact same as the SOF gunship call for fire.
Remotely Piloted Aircraft(RPA) CAS
An unmanned aerial drone can provide Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) and precision strikes on targets. They mostly operate using GBU-12’s and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. These are both great weapons for precision strikes, and is a great asset when it comes to ISR.
Offensive Sensor Task - Lead and wingman aircraft concentrate on the objective. This is used to gain intelligence and situational awareness (SA) on whatever objectives the ground team may have.
Defensive Sensor Task - The lead aircraft’s responsibility is the friendly force. The wingman is responsible for sanitizing the route directly in front of the friendly force. This is used to cover friendly forces on the move.
Neutral Sensor Task - The lead aircraft’s responsibility is the friendly force. The wingman is primarily responsible for scanning the objective (or assigned checkpoint) and back to the friendly force. This is used when cover is needed for friendly forces and SA on objectives.
Emergency CAS
An emergency close air support request is typically done in haste when friendly forces are under heavy threat, such as being overrun. This type of request is very dangerous due to lack of complete information and increases friendly fire risks. This method should only be used as a last resort, if it can be done any other way, it should be.
LZ/DZ Controller
The Helicopter Landing Zone (HLZ) is a brief given to RW pilots to bring them in to land for multiple reasons. The format is as follows:
6) Remarks/Restrictions
Clearance restrictions are any restrictions or things in order to strike. Things to be included in remarks/restrictions:
1. Attack heading/Direction.
2. Danger Close initials - To be explained in Danger Close
3. Clearance restrictions - Information you must pass to the Controller prior to being cleared.
4. Engagement restrictions - Time window to strike, priority of targets, etc. (This one is not necessary unless the situation calls for it)
7) Readbacks
There are mandatory readbacks to the Controller to ensure safety and target accuracy. Mandatory readbacks for 9-line CAS are as follows:
1. Line 4 - Elevation
2. Line 6 - Target location
3. Remarks/Restrictions
The A/C must read these back to the Controller and the Controller must confirm with “Good Readbacks” in order to strike.
8) Correlation
Visual acquisition of the target. This can be done with just a visual talk-on of the area, or using a mark. Correlation for a BOC (Bomb on Coordinate) attack is the readbacks from the system.
9) The Attack
This is the step for actually engaging the attack sequence for the aircraft. However, the Controller MUST give the order “CLEARED HOT” or “CLEARED TO ENGAGE” to the A/C before they can release ordnance.
10) Assess Effects
Information about the ordinance ,their effect and the damage to the target itself. This will help determine if a re-attack is needed or if the ordnance selection needs to be changed.
11) Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)
The Controller will pass the status of the strike and the target to the A/C. After EVERY strike/pass/mission, the JTAC must advise on:
• Battle Damage Assessment
• Re-attack request
• Munitions effect
• What is the physical/structural damage to the target ?
• Were the correct munitions used or are different fires necessary ?
12) Routing/Safety of Flight
Same as initial routing, safety is the main priority.
13)RepeatProcess (as necessary)
Control Types
Type 1
JTACs use Type 1 control when the risk assessment requires them to visually acquire the attacking aircraft and the target prior to weapons release. The JTAC assesses the nose geometry of the A/C to deem the attack safe. This is the most common and restrictive of the three types. Type 1 is most often used when friendly forces are "danger close".
Type 1 requires the JTAC to see both the fighter and target throughout the attack to ensure the fighter is attacking the right target.
Type 1 Control requires the JTAC to:
• Visually acquire the attacking aircraft
• Maintain visual contact with the target under attack
• Clear *EACH* pass
Type 2
Type 2 control is be used when the JTAC desires control of individual attacks but assesses that either visual acquisition of the attacking aircraft or target at weapons release is not possible or when attacking aircraft are not in a position to acquire the mark/target prior to weapons release/launch. The A/C is cleared based on the heading passed to the JTAC on final.
Type 2 only requires the JTAC to see either the target or fighter. After the fighter calls “in”, a JTAC will give a “Cleared Hot” call for either of these scenarios.
Type 2 Control is utilized when either:
• Visual acquisition of the attacking aircraft *AND/OR* target at weapons release is not possible
• Attacking aircraft are not in a position to acquire the mark/target prior to weapons release / launch • The JTAC must clear *EACH* pass
Type 3
Type 3 control may be used when the tactical risk assessment indicates that CAS attack imposes low risk of fratricide or civilian casualties. This is the least restricted control type.
A Type 3 is used when the JTAC requires the ability to provide clearance for multiple attacks within a single engagement. Used when multiple strokes in a row are needed. The clearance call for a type 3 is “Cleared to Engage”.
In Type 3 control, the JTAC doesn’t have to see either the target or fighter. This is usually used when there’s a target array well away from friendlies, such as a convoy or troop position that requires multiple reattacks. A JTAC will give fighters a “Cleared to Engage” call.
Type 3 Control is utilized when:
• Multiple passes are needed
*AND/OR* • Unable to maintain visual contact with the attacking aircraft
• Unable to maintain visual contact with the target
• Only the *FIRST* pass needs to be cleared
The most common types of CAS control are type I and II. Type III is rarely used especially in a COIN fight, where the avoidance of civilian casualties are paramount.
"MInimum" Close AiR Support Requirements
At a MINIMUM, the JTAC will require:
1) Aircraft 'Check-In' brief with onboard ordnance
2) 'Situation Brief' given to the aircraft
3) Tracking position(s) of:
• Friendly
• Enemy
• Civilian/infrastructure
4) Aircraft Deconfliction
5) JTAC 9-Liner or 5-Liner Request
6) Give Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)
7) Consider reattack
8) Consider ordnance change
B) Advanced Close Air Support
Radio Usage
When in a Combined Arms setting, typically there will be several Radio Nets being used at once.
Some major Communication Networks may include:
1. Air to Ground Operations (CAS)
2. Field Unit Tactical Operations Command (Company Net)
3. Artillery Fire Support (Artillery/MLRS)
4. MEDEVAC
5. Ground Force Commander (Platoon Net)
6. Guard (for A/C emergencies)
7. UAV (for surveillance)
Aircraft Deconfliction
There are several forms of airspace deconfliction:
Separation Types & Examples:
• Lateral E.g. "Stay NORTH of Grid 2340"
• Altitude E.g. "Stay ABOVE 2k AGL and below 4k AGL"
• Time E.g. "Attack window CLOSED from 1408hrs to 1409hrs, OPENS at 1410hrs for TOT and CLOSES again at 1410hrs to 1412hrs"
Danger Close
Think about the ordnance used and the effect it will have on both Enemy and friendly forces (cluster bombs may affect friendly movement due to 'duds').
Use correct ordnance based on the threat (area or point target, anti personnel or armor piercing etc).
A PI (Probably of Incapacitation) value of less than 10 percent PI can be interpreted as being less than or equal to one chance in one hundred.
A PI value of less than 0.1 percent PI can be interpreted as being less than or equal to one chance in one thousand.
Danger Close Procedure
Whenever an A/C is striking a target within 400m of friendly troops, they must follow Danger Close procedures. Once a target has been identified as danger close, the controller must inform the current commander of the troops on the ground. This is done because the commander needs to accept the risk that some friendly troops may become incapacitated due to weapons effects in order to get the strike off.
If he accepts the risk, the A/C is cleared strike the target, however the commander must give his initials to the controller and he will then pass them onto the A/C, This is his way of accepting the risk involved with danger close. Danger Close initials are a MANDATORY READBACK.
List of Ordnance
Selecting the correct ordinance for the correct target is the Controller responsibility however the general rules for targets are as follows:
Guns - Troops in the open or soft skin vehicles, and if the JTAC wants to stay away from a danger close procedure. Guns have minimal blast and effects so they are good to use against enemy infantry in close proximity. Guns are NOT good against armour, with the exception of the A-10 GAU-8.
Rockets - Zuni and Hydra rockets work great against enemy infantry and soft skin to light armoured vehicles.
Unguided Munitions - Very powerful, however are only really good against stationary or slow moving targets like buildings, bunkers or dismounted infantry. It is not recommended to use these against vehicles.
Laser Guided Munitions - Great at destroying moving and armoured targets. Air to Ground Munitions - Maverick and Hellfire Missiles, laser and TV guided primarily used against tanks.
• Attack begins/Control Type 1 and 2 clearance/weapon release
• Weapon impact
• Battle Damage Assessment
• Reattack consideration
• Munition choice
CAS 5 Step Planning:
Step 1: Receipt of Mission
Step 2: Mission Analysis
Step 3: Course of Action (COA) Development
Step 4: COA Analysis/Wargame
Step 5: Orders Production
Battle Tracking
Battle tracking is the:
• Process of building/maintaining an overall picture of the battlespace that is accurate, timely, and relevant
Populate a Basic 9-Line
Basic Talk-on Procedure
DIRECTION, DISTANCE, OBJECT. Every JTAC should remember these three basic points. A visual talk-on is a method to get the aircraft to visually acquire something on the ground. If working in a village, the controller will get the pilots eyes into a specific quadrant of the town, being North, South, East or West, and pick an easily identifiable feature to start with. Think about what makes this feature different from the things around it. From this feature, use a DIRECTION, state a DISTANCE, identify an OBJECT to move to the next point, talking the pilot closer and closer onto the target. It is also possible to use a Reference point and a unit of measure by picking identifiable features on the ground.
Marking Methods
There are many methods of marking targets, which all have their pros and cons and right time to use them. One of the most common methods of marking is with Smoke. The benefit to smoke is that it can be easily acquired by the A/C, however it can dissipate quickly and can obscure friendly vision of the target area. Color confirmation is KEY.
Another method of marking is with flares. These should not be used in the daytime, rather in low light conditions and nighttime where these work extremely well. Another method for nighttime would be IR grenades/flares, if the A/C is flying with NVGs.
Laser procedure The pilot should call “10 Seconds” to cue the controller to be ready with his laser, and “LASER ON” when he is ready to start acquiring laser energy. If the controller is guiding the bomb in himself, he MUST be lasing the target before weapons release so that the bomb can get a lock on the target.
IR procedure IR procedure is using the IR laser on a weapon system at night to mark targets for aircraft, or mark HLZ for helos. Using IR to mark targets is similar to the laser procedure. The term used to designate a target with IR is “SPARKLE”. The A/C should call “Ready Sparkle” which is the cue to Sparkle the target for the controller. “CEASE SPARKLE” is used when the aircraft no longer requires a sparkle on target. “ROPE” is used to help aircraft identify friendly positions. This is done by circling the aircraft with an IR pointer, like a lasso.
Line 7 of the 9-Line should read “Marked by IR pointer”.
Bomb On Target (BOT)/Bomb On Coordinate (BOC) Control
BOT - Requires the A/C to have eyes on the target in some way, shape, or form, i.e. a visual talk on, using a POD. BOC - The A/C drops on a specified set of coordinates, no talk-on required.
Brevity Codes & Visual Aids
Brevity is all lingo between the aircraft and the controller. Knowing these will help out greatly with understanding what's going on and shortening the amount of time talking. The more talking, the less killing.
Example 9-Liner.
FINAL ATTACK HEADING should always be parallel to firendly troops on the ground
Important Remarks
• 'Target elevation' is not always important in most cases.
• NEVER give friendly position in anyway other than cardinal direction and distance in meters
Additional remarks include:
• Commander's Initials for Danger Close
• Restrictions ("Guns only/ 'Continue Dry'/ Stay WEST of the river/ Enemy vehicles only" etc)
• Threats to the Aircraft ("AAA 500m SOUTH of target")
• Final attack heading (azimuth degree or cardinal direction; "FAH 90 or 270 ONLY")
• Give Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)
• "Successful" / "Unsuccessful" ("GOOD HIT")
• Reattack criteria (another pass/change to rockets etc)
• Corrections - given in cardinal direction and distance in meters from the
• Previous bomb impact point ("100m SOUTH of 1st pass strike"
Aircraft Requests
JTAC Terminology
General
Forward Air Controller (FAC)
A Forward Air Controller is typically an officer (aviator / pilot) and/or member of a Tactical Air Control Party who, from a forward ground or airborne position, controls aircraft in a close air support mission.
Forward Air Controller (Airborne)
A Forward Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A) is a specifically trained and qualified aviation officer who exercises control, from the air, of aircraft and indirect fires engaged in CAS of ground troops. The FAC(A) provides coordination and terminal attack control for CAS missions as well as locating and marking ground targets.
Joint Fires Observer (JFO)
A JFO is a trained and certified Service member who can request, adjust, and control surface-to-surface fires. For air-to-surface fires, they can provide timely and accurate targeting information to the JTAC or, when approved by the JTAC, to the aircraft directly, and perform autonomous terminal guidance operations (TGO).
Air Liaison Officer (ALO)
The ALO is the senior JTAC/TACP member attached to a ground unit who functions as the primary advisor to the ground commander on air operations. An ALO is usually an aeronautically rated officer and is an expert in the capabilities and limitations of air operations.
Ordnance Release
Method of Attack (MOA)
The method of attack is not specific to a type of control, ordnance, or aircraft and may be different between aircraft in a flight.
Bomb on Coordinate (BOC)
Bomb on Coordinate attacks are used when the JTAC determines that he can create the desired effects against that target with CAS aircraft and ordnance employing on a specified set of coordinates. CAS aircraft are not required to tally / contact / capture the target when conducting BOC attacks.
Bomb on Target
Bomb on Target (BOT) attacks require the aircrew to tally / contact / capture the JTAC's intended target or aim point.
Weapons Release Authority
The authority and responsibility for the expenditure of any ordnance on the battlefield rests with the supported commander of the mission. The supported commander will then delegate weapons release clearance authority to JTACs/FACs/FAC(A)s to facilitate CAS attacks.
Time on Target (TOT)
TOT is a time at which the aircraft bombs are to impact the target and around which supporting surface fires can be coordinated.
Time to Target (TTT)
TTT establishes a precise number of minutes and seconds that elapse between an established time hack and bombs on target.
CAT Types
CAT I - Ordinance to be dropped in a spread 0-6m from coords/target
CAT II - Ordinance to be dropped in a spread 7-15m from coords/target
CAT III - Ordinance to be dropped in a spread 51-100m from coords/target
CAT V - Ordinance to be dropped in a spread 92-305m from coords/target
CAT V - Ordinance to be dropped in a spread 305m or greater from coords/target
Initial Points
IPs are normally located from 5 to 15 nautical miles or kilometers from the target for fixed wing aircraft. High altitude aircraft may require IPs in excess of 20nm/km from the target.
Battle Positions
BPs are set 1-5 kilometers (km) for rotatory wings aircraft.
Risk Estimate
Risk estimate distances allow the supported commander to estimate the potential danger to friendly troops from the CAS attack. They are defined as 0.1 % or 1 in 1,000 PI.
Considerations for Danger Close
Ordnance delivery inside the 0.1 percent Pi distance will be considered "danger close"
Target Location Error
TLE is defined as the difference between the coordinates generated for a target and the actual location of that target. TLE is expressed primarily in terms of circular, vertical & spherical difference.
Abort Code
Abort the pass. Do not release ordnance. Abort code should be included with the ABORT transmission if operating with non-secure communications. If no abort code was briefed, then the CAS attack is aborted by simply transmitting: "ABORT, ABORT, ABORT"
Delivery Prowords
The words "CLEARED", "HOT" and "ENGAGE" will be used only by the JTAC and when ordnance is actually to be delivered.
Close Air Support Requests Considerations Reminder
CAS Execution template
1. Routing / Safety of Flight
2. CAS Aircraft Check-In
3. Situation Update
4. Game Plan
5. CAS Brief
6. Remarks / Restrictions
7. Readbacks
8. Correlation
9. Attack
10. Assess Effects
11. BDA
12. Routing / Safety of Flight
CAS Game Plan
Type of control.
Method of attack (i.e., BOC or BOT)
Ordnance or effects desired Interval, if appropriate.
Mandatory Read backs
Lines 4, 6, and restrictions are mandatory readbacks